Senfermer

Senfermer is a neologism used to describe a practice of intentional self-enclosure within physical spaces to manage sensory input, privacy, or productivity. The term is generally discussed in contemporary sociocultural and design discourse, and it implies more than mere seclusion; it denotes deliberate architectural, spatial, or daily routines that create boundaries between the individual and external stimuli, including people, noise, and information flows.

The practice can be enacted through architectural features such as enclosed work pods, soundproof rooms, or private balconies; through daily routines like scheduled quiet hours; or through personal choices such as minimizing media use or isolating from social networks. Advocates argue that senfermer can reduce cognitive load, enhance focus, and support well-being in high-stimulus environments, while critics warn it may encourage isolation or inequality if access to private space is uneven.

Origin and usage: The term appears in modern French-language discourse and has spread in some English-language design journalism as a descriptive label for trends in micro-living and privacy-conscious design. It is not an official term in psychology or sociology, and usage varies across contexts and authors.

See also: seclusion, privacy, digital detox.